"He smiled affably but Ann found herself sneering."It might be an altogether better morning if you spent less time loafingabout trying to engage your ...etters in conversation and actually did somework!"The smile dropped off his face in an instant. "Er, sorry m'lady. You'requite right. I shouldn't be wasting your time." And yet you continue to do so now,"snapped Ann. "Be off with you."The stable hand tipped his cap and scurried back out of sight and Annsmiled coldly, enjoying his fear and. Her usual and self-mockingly put-upon good humour was almost entirely absent this time:?If only that had been all,? she said, almost to herself.?I did notice that he had drank a little more than usual when I cleared the bottles and glasses from his study this morning, if I am not being too forward in saying this, Mrs Parkes.??No, no,? she came in quick to quell my supposed misgivings for having spoken out of turn. ?You really shouldn’t have to wake up to his? mess? anyhow.??It is no trouble,. Course, all my straps are black, but if you want,I'll get one for you." "Yeah, yeah! Yeah, besides, I'd like to see what I look like in ablack strap. Yeah Sammy, I'll take you up on that!" Bob stripped off his briefs, and reached out to take from Sammy theblack jock strap he handed to him. Before starting to put it on, Bobpushed the strap up against his face and took a large whiff! Then, lickinghis lips slightly, he looked at Chuck and said, "Hey man! I've alwaysheard of guys that smell. I hazily walk to the bathroom doorway and stand there, admiring the smells of your shampoo and body soap, perfectly content just to be in the same small space as you for a while longer.I hear the hot water droplets running down the shower walls as they wash away last night's encounter and prepare your beautiful body for another adventure. I leave the steamy room before you've noticed me and start some coffee. No perfect day can be perfect without coffee.I return to my doorway perch and continue.